Annual Weightlifing Competition Saturday

EUGENE – Some of the strongest competitors from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions will take part in the 17th-annual Oregon Weightlifting Classic beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Ducks’ Casanova Center weight room.

Participants will compete in five separate weight classes within their age groups in men’s and women’s divisions, with the finishes determined by an aggregate total of weight lifted in the clean and jerk as well as snatch competition.

Included in the competition will be a pair of Oregon football players, with defensive tackle Ra’Shon Harris and defensive back Marvin Johnson both taking part in their first weightlifting competitions. Harris equaled a team-high 415-pound bench press during the football team’s winter workouts and boasts of a 341-pound clean, while Johnson is one of the Ducks’ strongest defensive backs.

The competition is open to the general public free of charge. Competitors and spectators are asked to enter the Casanova Center through the doors at the east end of the building nearest Autzen Stadium.